Category: Retinal Detachment

Having retinal detachment in one eye increases the risk in another although it doesn’t mean that it will happen. Risk is present if the normal eye has some weak areas in the retina which has been advised to have laser. Its always better to have laser in the normal eye if a weak area has been detected and has been advised to undergo laser.

In few cases retinal detachment can happen in families
although its not necessary that it will. With any history of retinal detachment
in family, its important to get ones children examined.

In spite of best intentions in some cases and in the best of hands, retina does not get reattached by one surgery. In such scenarios a second surgery may be needed. Hence its important to have a regular follow up with the treating surgeon. Sooner a re-detachment is detected better are their chances at getting corrected.

Although surgery is planned after obtaining a fitness,
patient should inform doctor about previous allergies, surgeries. Patients with
history of heart attack should obtain fitness from cardiologist as should a
diabetic from his diabetologist Similarly patient should inform the surgeon
about any unusual discharge, redness on the day of surgery.

Excellent visual recovery can be expected if retinal
detachment is diagnosed early with no lag time to get it operated. Poor results
are expected if surgery is delayed.

Eye surgery in the present era needs no special food restriction. Any diet that patient has been following prior to surgery can be continued. No restrictions on sour/ hard food is necessary.

Head low is an important part of retinal detachment surgery. It is as important as the surgery. Timing varies between surgeries but on an average 10-12 hours a day for 2-3 weeks is generally recommended.

Like any other surgery , its important to maintain cleanliness. No form of normal tap water should be applied to the operated eye. Bath should be taken below the neck although shaving can be performed. Avoidance of water varies but a minimal of 3 weeks is generally prescribed.

Outcome of surgery is not dependent on either gas or silicone oil as both can achieve same results. Which is best should be left to discretion of the operating surgeon. Only difference is that gas  needs no second surgery as it gets slowly absorbed. To remove silicone oil a second surgery is needed. Its important to AVOID AIR TRAVEL for minimal of 6-8 weeks when gas is used.

In general surgery for any kind of detachment can be done in two ways. In one surgery is done from outside of the eye is called a buckle. It is a form of surgery where the detached retina is supported from outside.

Second form of surgery is where, one goes inside the eye and operate and called a vitrectomy.